Rationale Competency 5 – Students will Engage in Policy-informed Advanced Social Work Practice

Advanced social work practitioners with a clinical emphasis understand that human rights and justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. Advanced social work practitioners with a clinical emphasis understand and recognize the historical, social, racial, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy and demonstrate the ability to critique history, policy, and structures through rights-based, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist lenses. Advanced social work practitioners with a clinical emphasis understand their leadership role in policy development and implementation within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, actively using their skills to engage in policy practice and examination of values to effect change within those settings. They are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation. Advanced social work practitioners with a clinical emphasis provide leadership and support to clients, families, and community-based leaders in creating and advocating for culturally responsive policies advantageous to them that promote human rights and that seek to eliminate racism and oppression. Advanced social work practitioners with a clinical emphasis demonstrate the ability to ethically evaluate policies and their impact on client systems and the community. 

Upon successful completion of the advanced generalist curriculum, students will be able to: 

1. Evaluate social welfare and economic policies for issues of justice, racism, and oppression that impact the provision and delivery of services.  
2. Formulate policies that advance human rights and justice socially, economically, and environmentally. 
3. Determine effective leadership strategies and program development for meeting the needs of individuals and constituencies that advance or ensure the dignity, worth, and human rights of all.  

For each question area below (numbers 2, 3, and 4) provide a two-paragraph response connecting your answers to the competency description and behaviors listed above.  

Your responses should be well-written and formulated with no grammatical errors. Your response should demonstrate your thorough justification for why the two pieces of evidence you have submitted in Brightspace are valid in showing your competency in this area and clearly demonstrate your application of knowledge, skills, values, and learning.